Which of the following are the basic features of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act ? 1. Provides for a three-tier structure of panchayats in the village, intermediary and district levels. 2. Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and women in all the tiers of panchayats. 3. Election to panchayats under the supervision of the State Election Commissions. 4. Introduction of the 11 th Schedule to the Constitution. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
1, 2, 3 and 4
Understanding the Basic Features of the 73rd Amendment Act
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. It aimed to decentralize power and establish democracy at the grassroots level. The Act added a new Part IX titled 'The Panchayats' and a new Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution.
Let's examine each of the points mentioned in the question to understand the basic features introduced by this significant amendment.
Three-Tier Structure of Panchayati Raj
The 73rd Amendment provides for a uniform three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in every state with a population exceeding 20 lakh. These tiers are:
- Village Level: Gram Panchayat
- Intermediate Level: Panchayat Samiti or Block Panchayat
- District Level: Zila Parishad
This three-tier structure ensures representation and administration at different levels of local governance, making point 1 a basic feature.
Reservation of Seats in Panchayats
The Act mandates reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population at all three tiers of the panchayats. Furthermore, it requires not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be reserved for women, including the seats reserved for women belonging to SCs and STs. This provision ensures social equity and participation of marginalized sections and women in local governance, confirming point 2 as a basic feature.
Supervision of Panchayat Elections by State Election Commissions
To ensure free and fair elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions, the 73rd Amendment provides for the constitution of a State Election Commission (SEC) in each state. The SEC is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the panchayats. This mechanism ensures an independent body oversees the electoral process, making point 3 a crucial basic feature.
Introduction of the 11th Schedule
The 73rd Amendment added the 11th Schedule to the Constitution. This schedule lists 29 subjects that are to be placed within the purview of the Panchayats. These subjects cover various aspects of rural development, social welfare, and local governance. Examples include agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation programmes, education, and health and sanitation. The inclusion of this schedule is fundamental as it defines the functional domain of the Panchayats, establishing point 4 as a basic feature.
Conclusion on 73rd Amendment Features
Based on the analysis, all four points listed in the question are indeed basic and essential features introduced by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. These features collectively aim to strengthen decentralized governance and make Panchayati Raj institutions effective self-governing bodies.
73rd Amendment Key Features Summary - Revision Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Three-Tier System | Panchayats at Village, Intermediate, and District levels. |
| Reservation of Seats | For SCs, STs, and women in all tiers. |
| State Election Commission | Independent body to conduct Panchayat elections. |
| 11th Schedule | Lists 29 subjects under Panchayat jurisdiction. |
Additional Information on 73rd Amendment and Panchayats
Beyond the basic features, the 73rd Amendment also includes other important provisions:
- Gram Sabha: The Act provides for the constitution of a Gram Sabha (village assembly) comprising all registered voters in the area of a village panchayat. The Gram Sabha is the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system, acting as a forum for direct democracy and accountability.
- Duration of Panchayats: Panchayats have a fixed tenure of five years. If dissolved earlier, elections must be held within six months.
- State Finance Commission: A State Finance Commission is to be constituted every five years to review the financial position of the panchayats and make recommendations regarding the distribution of resources between the state and the panchayats.
- Mandatory vs. Voluntary Provisions: Some provisions of the Act are mandatory for states to implement (like the three-tier system, reservations, SEC, SFC), while others are voluntary and left to the discretion of state legislatures (like giving Gram Sabhas more powers, providing representation to MPs/MLAs in Panchayats).
Understanding these additional aspects provides a more complete picture of the Panchayati Raj system established by the 73rd Amendment.
Important Questions from Local Government
Which one of the following is not a power of Panchayats under Article 243G?
- Panchayati Raj Institutions are primarily the institutions of
Which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India deals with District Planning Committee?
Which one of the following is NOT a subject that has been devolved to the Panchyati Raj Institutions by the 11 th Schedule of the Constitution of India?
The Panchyati Raj System under Part-IX of the Constitution of India does not apply to the States of:
